A multi-stakeholder group

The Hydropower Sustainability Standard and Tools are governed by a multi-stakeholder body, the Hydropower Sustainability Council (HSC). 

This governing body includes representatives of social, community and environmental organisations, governments, commercial and development banks and the hydropower sector. This inclusive approach to governance ensures that all stakeholder voices are heard in the shaping of the use of the HS Standard and the Tools.

The Hydropower Sustainability Secretariat acts as the management entity to the Council and is responsible for overseeing training and accreditation and coordinating governance activities.

All hydropower stakeholders are welcome  

Hydropower has a key role to play in development, and significant potential to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, it is vital that it is developed in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

Joining the Council offers a great opportunity to contribute to ensuring that it does so. The mission of the Council is to ensure multi-stakeholder input and confidence in the HS Standard, the HS Tools and their application. The Council welcomes and encourages input from, and engagement with, all stakeholders involved in the development of hydropower.

New members join one of the council's seven chambers, allowing them to participate in the dialogue and decision making. Chambers represent a fantastic opportunity for members to network with other organisations working in the same area of focus, from all over the world. 

The application will be processed by the HS Secretariat and if no objection is raised to the application, an acceptance email will be sent to the applicant within four weeks. If objections are raised, the application will be discussed in the next governance committee meeting. For more information, please feel free to contact the HS Secretariat.

Chambers

The Council consists of a series of Chambers, each representing a different segment of hydropower stakeholders. These are:

  • Hydropower consultants, contractors or equipment suppliers

  • Hydropower operators or developers

  • Environment or conservation organisations

  • Social impacts, project affected communities, and Indigenous Peoples' organisations

  • Development, public or commercial banks, financial organisations, and private investors/ investment funds

  • Emerging and developing economy country governments (as classified according to the International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook)

  • Advanced economy country governments (as classified according to the International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook)

Multi stakeholder governance of the Hydropower Sustainability Tools

Multi stakeholder governance of the Hydropower Sustainability Tools

 

Reasons why chambers are important

Chambers allow for multi-stakeholder input and confidence in the content and application of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard and Tools. They help make sure that the performance requirements of the HS Standard and Tools are based on up-to-date knowledge, science and research across a wide range of sectors and perspectives.

Chambers, through their open structure, ensure that the governance of the HS Standard and Tools takes place through democratic and inclusive decision-making processes.  

Chambers act as experts contributing positions and learning to the Council and its working groups.

Responsibilities of chamber members

Chamber members participate in a democratic process to elect representatives to speak for their stakeholder group on the Governance Committee.  They act as a source of opinion and develop positions for their representatives, which may involve reading and providing written contributions.

Members are requested to react to and contribute to discussion papers and participate in webinars, teleconferences, and in person meetings on ‘as needed’ basis. Ideally, members should be able to participate in General Meetings of the Council, which are held at least every two years in conjunction with the IHA Congress. Depending on the financial development of the Council, some funding to support participation from developing country members may become available. 

Council Charter

The Charter sets out the objectives, membership and modus operandi of the Council. The HSC Charter is currently under review following the launch of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard in September 2021 and should be updated by January 2022.

 

Activity Reports